WOW Dozen: Expeditions, Journeys, and Explorations Around the World
“A true explorer has an original idea, and contributes something meaningful through their journeys. They may encounter a new species, create a map of unexplored territory, unearth clues about ancient civilizations or bring a new awareness of the world in which we live.” (Herbert, 2021, pg. 9)
Children are natural explorers, curious about the world, how it works, and how they engage with complex and interrelated social, political, and environmental systems. Whether they are exploring a place that is new to them or their own backyard, this curiosity supports an ability to navigate different places and ideas alongside growing independence.
In some people this curiosity persists throughout adulthood, and is expressed through expeditions and journeys, formal and informal, seeking out new ideas, new places, and new understandings. While most schoolchildren in the United States learn about a few explorers from the early days of European colonization, this approach to learning about explorers and expeditions is deeply limited. There have been people from many cultures, times, and places who have been driven by the urge to seek new knowledge of the world, challenge their own limitations, do something that’s never been done before, or simply to seek riches and treasure.
Those who go on expeditions and journeys know that it may be risky, but the reward can be great. In this WOW Dozen, I share books about brave explorers and fascinating journeys.
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During the Ming Dynasty Zheng He searches for the perfect shade of blue porcelain as he leads a fleet of ships on voyages to establish trade with neighboring countries. | Image
This nonfiction text shares brief biographies of African Americans who helped expand our understanding of the world by pushing boundaries. | Image
Colorful illustrations, maps, and historical facts describe the lives and achievements of 22 explorers around the world from ancient times to modern day. |
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Featuring maps of their explorations and quotes from primary sources, this nonfiction book provides biographies of 22 female explorers. | Image
Basho, a poet, makes five great journeys which provide the inspiration for some of Japan’s most well-known literature. | Image
Engaging biographies accompanied by large illustrations provide information on female explorers and adventurers from around the world. |
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Showing that not all expeditions require long voyages, this handbook describes how to be a scientific explorer in your own backyard. | Image
This informational text describes roads humans have always travelled, for trade, pilgrimages, migration, or simply for pleasure. | Image
Small children are asked to deliver a package, so they organize an exploring party for a treacherous trek across the playground. |
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Japanese climber Junko Tabei responds to people saying women shouldn’t climb mountains by organizing the first all-woman team to climb Mount Everest. | Image
A young Welsh girl and her family migrate across the ocean to join her father for a new life in Canada. | Image
Alberto Salas travels across the Peruvian mountains seeking rare varietals of the potato before they are lost forever. |
References
Herbert, K. (2022). We Are Explorers: Extraordinary Women Who Discovered the World. Thames & Hudson, 2021.
WOW Dozen features a list of 12 global books for children and adolescents around a theme, topic, issue or personal favorites. Each Dozen consists of ten newly-published titles with two older “must have” books. Please share or recommend additional books that fit the theme in the comments section or on social media using #WOWDozen.
